Government
Transport Topics government and regulatory coverage keeps managers of a highly-regulated industry aware of the policy decisions that can shape their businesses. Covering both the legislative and regulatory aspects of policy-making, at both the state and national levels, the news in this category includes looks at infrastructure, hours of service, emissions rules, funding measures, leadership appointments, and more. Readers can follow what’s happening in Congress, at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and in state and local governments.
Trade Deficit Declines for First Time in Four Months
The U.S. trade deficit declined in October for the first time in four months, the Commerce Department reported Dec. 4.
December 4, 2013Daily Briefings from Transport Topics
Transport Topics has partnered with Spoken Layer to make one-minute daily briefings available on all your smart devices. Simply say “Alexa, play Transport Topics” or “Okay Google, talk to Transport Topics” to get the day’s biggest trucking headlines.
EPA Calls for Flat Production in Biodiesel Through 2015
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed keeping the national volume requirement of biodiesel production at the 2013 level of 1.28 billion gallons a year through 2015, the agency said in the Federal Register.
Bill Seeks to Prevent Independent Contractor Misclassification
Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and five co-sponsors have introduced a bill they said would prevent fraud in the hiring of independent contractors.
FMCSA Proposes System to Reflect Dismissed Violations in CSA Database
Trucking companies and drivers whose citations have been dismissed in court could soon be able to see that reflected in the violation database maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, according to a notice posted Dec. 2 in the Federal Register.
Senator Urges FMCSA to Boost Food Oversight
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown last week said he wants the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to take a more active role in overseeing the movement of food in refrigerated vans and tank trucks.
December 2, 2013Opinion: GSA Opts for Clean-Fueled Vendors
The United States wants to do business with truck fleets that are more fuel-efficient, better for the environment and cheaper to operate.
December 2, 2013New IRS Tax Rules on Assets to Affect Fleets, Experts Say
New tax rules that start Jan. 1 will change the way trucking companies and other U.S. businesses account for real estate and business equipment and could create room for more same-year deductions rather than multiyear depreciation, according to several tax experts.
December 2, 2013Appeals Court Denies AIPBA Request to Stay FMCSA Broker Bond Rule
A federal appeals court denied a request to postpone enforcement of a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule that would increase to $75,000 from $10,000 the minimum amount of a surety bond the businesses must carry.
FMCSA Shuts Down Five Moving Companies
FMCSA has shut down five household-goods moving companies in three states, alleging that the carriers were “holding customer shipments hostage and failing to turn over records related to their investigations.”
Calif. Extends Soot Filter Deadline for Some Truckers
California environmental regulators said they will give truckers operating in the state who show “good faith efforts” additional time beyond the Jan. 1 compliance deadline requiring most heavy-trucks to install particulate filters.